IP Library Granted Patent US 12689252
Granted Patent B2
US 12689252 · App. 18/432,331 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Magnetic modulation gear and gear motor

Inventors: Hiroki Nakagawa (Kanagawa, JP); Taizo Yamamoto (Kanagawa, JP); Takahiro Minari (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
H02K1/274H02K1/30H02K7/083
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12689252
App. No.
18/432,331
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A magnetic modulation gear includes a plurality of outer pole magnets arranged in a circumferential direction, a rotor that includes a plurality of magnetic pole pieces arranged in the circumferential direction on a radially inner side with respect to the outer pole magnets, a plurality of inner pole magnets arranged in the circumferential direction on a radially inner side with respect to the magnetic pole pieces, and a plurality of bearings that rotatably support the rotor, in which the plurality of bearings include one-side bearings located on one side in an axial direction with respect to the magnetic pole pieces, and a first bearing closest to the magnetic pole pieces, of the one-side bearings, is disposed within a region radially outward with respect to inner peripheral ends of the outer pole magnets, or within a region radially inward with respect to outer peripheral ends of the inner pole magnets.

Claims (33)

1 . A magnetic modulation gear comprising:

a plurality of outer pole magnets arranged in a circumferential direction;

a rotor that includes a plurality of magnetic pole pieces arranged in the circumferential direction on an inner side in a radial direction with respect to the plurality of outer pole magnets;

a plurality of inner pole magnets arranged in the circumferential direction on an inner side in the radial direction with respect to the plurality of magnetic pole pieces; and

one or a plurality of bearings that support the rotor to be rotatable relative to the outer pole magnets or the inner pole magnets,

wherein the one or plurality of bearings include at least one one-side bearing that is located on one side in an axial direction with respect to the plurality of magnetic pole pieces,

a first bearing closest to the magnetic pole pieces, of the at least one one-side bearing, is disposed within a region outward in the radial direction with respect to inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, or within a region inward in the radial direction with respect to outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets,

the rotor includes

an extension portion that extends in the axial direction from the magnetic pole piece, wherein the extension portion is a non-magnetic body, and

a shaft member connected to the extension portion, wherein the shaft member is a magnetic body, and

a connection portion between the extension portion and the shaft member is located within a region in which a region outward in the radial direction with respect to the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, a region inward in the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets, and a region separated by 3 mm or more in the axial direction from the magnetic pole pieces are combined.

2 . The magnetic modulation gear according to claim 1 , wherein the one or plurality of bearings further include at least one other-side bearing that is located on the other side in the axial direction with respect to the plurality of magnetic pole pieces, and

a second bearing closest to the magnetic pole pieces, of the at least one other-side bearing, is also disposed within a region outward in the radial direction with respect to the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, or within a region inward in the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets.

3 . A gear motor comprising:

an electric motor; and

the magnetic modulation gear according to claim 1 , which receives power from the electric motor.

4 . The magnetic modulation gear according to claim 1 , wherein the rotor further includes a ring member mounted on the extension portion,

the ring member is a magnetic body, and

the ring member is located within a region in which a region outward in the radial direction with respect to the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, a region inward in the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets, and a region separated by 3 mm or more in the axial direction from the magnetic pole pieces are combined.

5 . A magnetic modulation gear comprising:

a plurality of outer pole magnets arranged in a circumferential direction;

a rotor that includes a plurality of magnetic pole pieces arranged in the circumferential direction on an inner side in a radial direction with respect to the plurality of outer pole magnets;

a plurality of inner pole magnets arranged in the circumferential direction on an inner side in the radial direction with respect to the plurality of magnetic pole pieces; and

one or a plurality of bearings that support the rotor to be rotatable relative to the outer pole magnets or the inner pole magnets,

wherein the one or plurality of bearings include at least one one-side bearing that is located on one side in an axial direction with respect to the plurality of magnetic pole pieces,

a first bearing closest to the magnetic pole pieces, of the at least one one-side bearing, is disposed within a region outward in the radial direction with respect to inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, or within a region inward in the radial direction with respect to outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets,

the rotor includes

an extension portion that extends in the axial direction from the magnetic pole piece, wherein the extension portion is a non-magnetic body, and

a ring member mounted on the extension portion, wherein the ring member is a magnetic body, and

the ring member is located within a region in which a region outward in the radial direction with respect to the inner peripheral ends of the plurality of outer pole magnets, a region inward in the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral ends of the plurality of inner pole magnets, and a region separated by 3 mm or more in the axial direction from the magnetic pole pieces are combined.

6 . A gear motor comprising:

an electric motor; and

the magnetic modulation gear according to claim 5 , which receives power from the electric motor.